Penn State Football: McSorley Selected as Unitas Award Finalist

Junior Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley is among the 10 finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, which is presented to the nation’s top quarterback.

“It means a lot. A lot of credit goes to our teammates and coaches,” McSorley said after practice Wednesday. “Some of those names, they’re top quarterbacks in the country. I’m just honored to be in that conversation.”

The Golden Arm Award is presented at the end of each football season and the winner is selected based on his accomplishments both on and off the field. Candidates must be a college senior or fourth-year junior on schedule to graduate with their class. The Golden Arm Award is named in honor of Johnny Unitas, who was an 18-year veteran of the NFL and played his collegiate career at the University of Louisville before joining the Baltimore Colts in 1958. His career passing figures include 2,830 pass completions for 40,239 yards, 290 touchdowns and throwing a touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games.

McSorley is second in the Big Ten and in the top-20 in FBS in completion percentage (65.9; 13th in FBS), total offense (296.8; 19th) and points responsible for per game (18.0; 11th). He is also third in the conference in passing touchdowns (16) and passing yards per game (258.9). McSorley is also dangerous on the ground, ranking third in the Big Ten with eight rushing touchdowns. He is the first quarterback in program history to having both a rushing and passing touchdown in four consecutive games. McSorley has thrown for a touchdown in 23 consecutive games, which is a school record and the second-longest active streak in FBS).

With four total touchdowns, including a quarterback school-record three rushing scores, against No. 19/15 Michigan, McSorley was selected as the Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week, Davey O’Brien Award National Quarterback of the Week and the Manning Award National Quarterback of the Week. He has six 200-yard passing games on the season, including a pair of 300-yard outings. With 16 passing scores on the season, McSorley has upped his career passing touchdowns to 47, which is second in Penn State history behind Christian Hackenberg’s 48 scores.

With 7:16 to go Penn State stood just 21 feet from a probable victory. The Nittany Lions were already up 35-27, and found themselves plodding down the field, converting third-downs and more. It was a drive that could have put the game away.

And yet Penn State couldn't quite do it, a 24-yard field goal by Tyler Davis made it 28-27 with 5:45 to go. Still a fairly safe lead, but as it would turn out,